Steam curls up from the valve and your stomach starts talking back. The scent of lemon, garlic, and oregano floats into your kitchen air. You notice that tiny hiss from the float valve as pressure builds inside your cooker, promising dinner that tastes like it took hours but really didn't.

Your sealing ring is working overtime, locking in all those delicious smells and flavors you can't wait to dig into. You catch the slow release on the cooker and you know this chicken is gonna be juicy and tender, with broth depth that's just right.
While you wait, you spot the bright colors of fresh cucumbers and olives ready to jump into a Greek salad. This meal is all about simple food done right, with a sauce that cools your mouth just as much as the salad crunches. You're about to create one dang good comfort dish.
What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round
- It locks in flavors tight so every bite's packed with yum.
- Pressure cooking zaps cooking time, so you get dinner way faster.
- The sealing ring keeps steam where it belongs, no mess or fuss.
- Float valve tells you when pressure's good to go and safe to open.
- Slow release lets you avoid dried-out chicken and keeps juices inside.
- The valve hiss is like a whisper telling you your food's cooking just right.
Pressure cookers are the ultimate timesavers, making them perfect for busy folks who wanna whip up a meal fast without compromising on flavor. Like in our Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas recipe, watching that float valve do its thing is half the fun and all the thrill.
The locking mechanism is key to keeping all the natural juices right in, similar to how our Stuffed Pepper Soup stays rich and flavorful thanks to sealed-in steam. Leakages are a no-go!
Everything You Need Lined Up
- 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about 3 lemons (grab the juiciest ones!)
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar to punch up that tangy vibe
- 4 tablespoons olive oil for smooth richness
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves, don't skimp on this herb
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus half a teaspoon salt for sauce and salad
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to wake up the flavors
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces (perfect for skewers)
- Garlic is key here - 4 medium cloves grated for the marinade and 1 for the tzatziki sauce

The Exact Process From Start to Finish
First, grab a large bowl. Whisk together 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. This marinade's your flavor base and it works real good.
Now toss your chicken pieces and 4 grated garlic cloves into that marinade. Mix it well so every chunk gets coated nice and even. Cover it up and pop it in your fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours if you got the patience.
While your chicken chills, let's talk tzatziki. In a small bowl mix the cucumber cubes (peel and seed 'em first, helps with watery sauce), 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and the last grated garlic clove. Stir it up real good and fridge that too.
When you're ready, preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread those chicken pieces onto skewers like a pro.
Grill your skewers about 10 to 12 minutes, turning now and then. You want 'em cooked through and a little charred on the edges for best taste.
Serve hot with the cool tzatziki and crunchy Greek salad right alongside. Oh and don't forget your pitas to wrap it all up.
Easy Tweaks That Make Life Simple
You honestly can skip the grill and use your pressure cooker on saute mode for browning the chicken first, then pressure cook for juicy bites.
Sometimes you gotta make it quick, so marinate chicken right in the pot with the sealing ring off, then seal and cook. Saves dishwashing!
Want to save time on the salad? Grab pre-sliced onions and pre-washed greens. Toss in olives and feta and you're done.
The Flavor Experience Waiting for You
This chicken grabs you right when it hits your plate. It's tender but with that crisp charred edge that punches your taste buds.
The tzatziki sauce cools everything down with its creamy yogurt base mixing smooth cucumber and bright dill. You sense that fresh garlic bite lingering as you dip your chicken.
Greek salad brings vibrant crunch with juicy tomato wedges and salty olives. It's a playful textural contrast that makes every forkful kinda exciting.

Smart Storage That Actually Works
Leftovers? No prob. Store chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken separate from the salad to avoid sogginess.
Tzatziki sauce lasts best in a sealed jar in fridge for about 2 to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving again.
Greek salad veggies don't keep long once dressed. If you gotta store 'em, keep salad dry and add oil and vinegar fresh before serving.
Freeze chicken skewers only if you plan to eat within a month. Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in fridge to keep flavors just right.
Your Most Asked Questions Answered
- Can I use thighs instead of breasts? Yep, chicken thighs work real good too. They stay juicy and add a bit more richness.
- How do I know when the pressure cooker's ready? Look for the float valve to pop up and the valve hiss to sound steady. That means you're good to go.
- Is slow release necessary here? It really helps keep the chicken tender and juicy, so don't rush it if you can avoid it.
- Can I make this recipe without a grill? Sure thing! Use your grill pan on stove or just do it all in the pressure cooker with saute and then pressure cook steps.
- What if I don't have fresh oregano? Dried oregano will work, but fresh gives a brighter, fresher flavor that really shines in Greek food.
- How do I prevent watery tzatziki sauce? Peel and seed your cucumber well, and salt it before mixing in yogurt. This pulls out excess water and keeps your sauce thick and creamy.
Looking for other comfort dishes with robust flavors and pressure cooker magic? Check out our Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe for an equally gratifying meal that's ready in a snap. For a vegetarian option, our Vegan Sticky Sesame Chickpeas come packed with flavor and use similar cooking tips you'll find handy here.
Additional Resources
- Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes - another simple, flavorful recipe for busy nights.
- Lemon Cream Cheese Bars - a citrusy dessert to end your meal on a sweet note.
- Mini Chai Muffins with Vanilla Bean Glaze - a perfect cozy baked treat to have alongside your dinner.
- Cowboy Casserole - a hearty one-pot meal great for family dinners and leftovers.

Chicken Souvlaki With Tzatziki Sauce and Greek Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl Large
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about 3 lemons
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus ½ teaspoon for sauce and salad
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic grated, for marinade
- 1 clove garlic grated, for tzatziki sauce
- 1 cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped for tzatziki
Instructions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces and 4 grated garlic cloves to the marinade. Mix well, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- To make tzatziki, combine cucumber, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 grated garlic clove in a bowl. Stir and refrigerate.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
- Grill skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through with slight charring.
- Serve hot with tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, and warm pita bread.


